Density Functional Studies on Photophysical Properties of Boron-Pyridyl-Imino-Isoindoline Dyes: Effect of the Fusion

[Image: see text] In this work, to make out the aryl-fusion effect on the photophysical properties of boron-pyridyl-imino-isoindoline dyes, compounds 1–5 were theoretically studied through analyses of their geometric and electronic structures, optical properties, transport abilities, and radiative (k(r)) and non-radiative decay rate (k(nr)) constants. The highest occupied molecular orbitals of aryl-fused compounds 2–5 are higher owing to the extended conjugation. Interestingly, aryl fusion in pyridyl increases the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level, while isoindoline decreases the LUMO level; thus, 4 and 5 with aryl fusion both in pyridyl and isoindoline exhibit a similar LUMO to 1. Compounds 4 and 5 show relatively low ionization potentials and high electron affinities, suggesting a better ability to inject holes and electrons. Importantly, the aryl fusion is conducive to the decrease of k(IC). The designed compound 5 exhibits a red-shifted emission maximum, low λ(h), and low k(IC), which endow it with great potential for applications in organic electronics. Our investigation provides an in-depth understanding of the aryl-fusion effect on boron-pyridyl-imino-isoindoline dyes at molecular levels and demonstrates that it is achievable.